Language desk
< July 26	<< Jun \| July \| Aug >>	July 28 >

Welcome to the Wikipedia Language Reference Desk Archives
The page you are currently viewing is a transcluded archive page. While you can leave answers for any questions shown below, please ask new questions on one of the current reference desk pages.

July 27

Fecundity

It is said that while the etymology of the profanity f*&k is not fully known, its first usage is in a poem describing what the butchers are doing to the bakers wives, or something along those lines, if memory serves accurately. I would like to know if there has been any consideration that there may be a correlation to the word Fecund or fecundity. They would strike me as particularly similar especially if one were to put "ye olde-english" slant on this. Is there a known correlation or joint etymology, or could one actually be derived directly from the other. Thank you — Preceding unsigned comment added by 31.53.187.190 (talk) 10:11, 27 July 2020 (UTC)[reply]

The English etymology for "fecund" is summarised here. I think you may be leading us down a bit of a blind alley. Martinevans123 (talk) 10:15, 27 July 2020 (UTC)[reply]

The etymology of "fuck" is noted at the Wikipedia article and section Fuck#Etymology, and does not mention any connection to the word "fecund". That would be a False etymology. --Jayron 32 16:39, 27 July 2020 (UTC)[reply]

It would be a f**kin fecund false etymology. Martinevans123 (talk) 17:25, 27 July 2020 (UTC) [reply]

More at Wiktionary:fuck#Etymology, which makes mention of a certain Roger Fuckebythenavele, a resident of Cheshire in 1310. Hopefully, he wasn't a teacher by profession. Alansplodge (talk) 19:34, 27 July 2020 (UTC)[reply]

Disgraceful. Enough to give Roger a bad name. Martinevans123 (talk) 20:08, 27 July 2020 (UTC)[reply]